Zulte Waregem – Beerschot: 0-1
Beerschot won the top of the table clash at Waregem on Friday night thanks to a goal from Wright-Phillips early in the second half and happily bagged another three points.
The home team controlled the game in the first half hour and created good scoring opportunities in that period, but Bruls and Gano shot wide or were denied by Matijas. We also had a lucky escape when Matthys' header came off our own crossbar. Beerschot slowly, took over command and were unlucky when shots from Verlinden - after an individual action - and Weymans - beautifully set up by Nzita - missed the target by only a couple of centimetres. At the other end Gano was denied by both Konstantopoulos and Matijas. No goals at half time.
Our Mannekes broke the deadlock early in the second half when Nzita found Wright-Phillips with an inch perfect through ball. Our young English striker controlled the ball beat his defender with a tricky move and put the ball in the near corner. Sheer class it was. Minutes late Zulte Waregem almost equalised when Gano had a free header at the far post but incredibly headed over. Big sigh of relief.
Beerschot grew better and better into the game by the minute. Home goalie De Wolf impressed with two good saves: first he reacted brilliantly at a free kick from Weymans, minutes later with a low save from Keita. The home team then opted for an "all,or nothing" last quarter but the Beerschot defence stood firm. Davor Matijas became the match winner five minutes from the end when he pushed a free kick from Rommens in corner with a formidable reflex.
ZULT WAREGEM: De Wolf, Tanghe, Ndour, Brüls, Ciranni, Tambedou, Gavriel, Nnadi, Vormere, Willen, Gano
BEERSCHOT: Matijas, Matthys, Reyners, Verlinden, Sanusi, Nzita, Tshimanga, Weymans, Wright-Phillips, Cagro, Konstantopoulos
GOALS: ’48 Wright-Phillips (0-1)
